The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Tambuwal

  • Disquiet in Buhari’s camp over Saraki, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso

    Disquiet in Buhari’s camp over Saraki, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso

    •President’s men also worried about Wamakko, Goje
    •Say they are too silent to be trusted

    There is disquiet in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the camp of President Muhammadu Buhari over the disposition of some stalwarts of the party to the fortune of  the  party ahead of next year’s  polls.

    Senate President BukolaSaraki; House of Representatives Speaker YakubuDogara;Sokoto State   Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; ex-Governor Musa RabiuKwankwaso; ex-Governor AliyuWammako; ex-Governor DanjumaGoje;  ex-Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima and some APC governors are among such  party chieftains.

    Some of them dumped the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be part of the coalition which led to the birth of the APC.

    Authoritative party sources said last night that none of the leaders has made any commitment to a possible second term ticket for President Buhari because they are weighing their own options on the way forward.

    A few of them have a strong political relationship with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who wrote a toxic letter to the President during the week.

    Obasanjo,in the letter,asked Buhari to jettison any plan to seek reelection next year and pay attention to his health.

    He called for the formation of what he called a Third Force to wrestle power from the APC and stop the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from returning to power.

    Prominent politicians across party divide are said to be already lining up to join the “Third Force.”

    Investigation by our correspondent indicated that the Presidency is worried by what sources termed the “silence and cold attitude” of these leaders to Buhari’s second term bid.

    Although some of the leaders believe it is too early now to start politicking, some APC leaders and Buhari’s strategists are suspicious of such position.

    The closeness of some of them to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has compounded the fears of those in Buhari’s camp.

    It was learnt that a few of them, including some APC Senators and members of the House of Representatives, have practically abandoned the party.

    It was gathered that a minister recently met one of the leaders on the second term bid of the President but the highly-placed match-maker allegedly said: “It is the President who should tell me, not you.”

    According to findings, the development accounted for the series of dinners being organised by the President to interact with these leaders to gauge their mood and indirectly seek their support.

    The President has already dined with Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

    The last dinner he had was with a group comprising ex-Senate President Ken Nnamani, ex-Governor Orji UzorKalu, ex-National Chairman of PDP, AbubakarKawuBaraje and others.

    A top source in Buhari’s camp said: “Most of these top leaders have not been forthcoming on the second term aspiration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Some of these leaders are too silent to trust. Look, the loyalists of Buhari are also not taking things for granted at all.

    “Virtually every day, consultations and negotiation are going on with leaders, political groups across the six geopolitical zones.

    “While some are weighing options, we are also suspecting that some of them are behind the Coalition for Nigeria (CN) campaign by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo because they don’t want to come out ; they don’t want a direct confrontation with Buhari.

    “We are however giving some of them benefit of the doubt because the political climate might be unpredictable in their states and they may have no option than to remain in APC with Buhari.”

    But a source, who had attended some dinners with Buhari, said: “I think the President is also watching his steps because he has not come out categorically that he is interested in a second term.

    “For instance, at the last dinner with ex-Governor Kalu and others, he only ate with us. In spite of the fact that ex-Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso was at the session, Buhari did not tell us he would seek a second term ticket.

    “He gave us so much to eat and did the talking alone. The President’s handlers did not allow him to have any feedback from us.

    “Such a dinner would have been a golden opportunity to speak our minds and forge a new rapprochement.

    It is not sufficient to say at a dinner that you have not forgotten some party leaders without telling us what you are driving at.

    “In fairness, I do not see these leaders as mind readers. The President will now need to do more to consult individually and in group on his re-election ambition.”

    A source in Tambuwal camp, who spoke in confidence, said: “You should know better that the governor does not pretend.

    “When he was the Speaker of the House of Representatives, it was obvious to all Nigerians that his heart was with the APC. I can tell you that by now, if he has alternative plan, you would have known.

    “I think some leaders in the party are suspicious of Tambuwal because he has refused to commit himself to the seven governors spearheading the second term aspiration of the President. Oga has repeatedly told them that the mood of this country is not for politics now. He has always said during politics, we will play politics.

    “But some of these governors are in the forefront of second term agitation because their political fate is tied to Buhari because they have not performed in office.”

    A source in Saraki’s camp said: “The President of the Senate has cooperated with this government and he is focusing on governance. The truth is that as a politician, he prefers tactical maneuvering to doing the talking. And do not forget that his office is too strategic to be politically flippant.

    “I know we are already using an airline (APC) but we don’t know yet if we will stick to the airline or book another flight. One thing is sure; we will get a boarding pass at the end of the day. We are watching the lips of our leader although our dilemma is that it is difficult to read his body language on this type of issue.

    “You cannot rule out consultations and weighing of options by Saraki and others.”

    A close strategist of Kwankwaso said: “If the President is seeking re-election on the platform of APC, you should not expect that Kwankwaso with presidential aspiration to remain in the same party.

    “But if Buhari is not contesting, Kwankwaso will remain in APC. This is a straightforward matter and it is discernible.”

    Asked of the next move, the source added: “Once Buhari declares interest in running for second term, Kwankwaso may join a stronger party after weighing options and consulting widely.”

    A source in Dogara’s camp said: “I have not really discussed the issue with him. I will find out and get back to you.”

    Another source said: “Those leaders from the North are keeping their game plan to their chest because of the consequences of early opposition to Buhari’s second term ambition by some of his blind loyalists who can start hurling missiles at every occasion.

    “Some of those in this group include a few Northern governors who are not keen on Buhari project.”

     

  • Honour for Tambuwal, Abubakar, Lalong

    Honour for Tambuwal, Abubakar, Lalong

    The Jos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has honoured three Northern governors who left legal practice for politics.

    The Branch said the governors have been worthy representatives of the Bar and have contributed to the growth and development of the legal profession and democracy.

    Those honoured are: Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

    They were conferred with awards during the branch’s yearly law week programme in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

    Tambuwal, who chaired the events’ opening, was honoured for deepening democracy in the country by developing the legislative arm of government.

    He was a former House of Representatives Speaker before being elected governor.

    Abubakar was honoured for deepening democracy in Nigeria by developing the electoral process.

    He was a National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Lalong was honoured for being a worthy ambassador of the Bar by rendering bold and selfless service to Plateau State, Nigeria and humanity.

    He was the longest serving Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly.

     

    Their profiles

     

    Tambuwal

    Tambuwal was born on January 10, 1966 in Tambuwal, Sokoto State. He had his early education at the Tambuwal Primary School from 1972 -1979 and Government Teachers College Dogon-Daji where he obtained his Teachers Grade 11 Certificate in 1984.

    Determined to become a lawyer, Aminu proceeded to study Law at the Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, graduating in 1991 with an LL.B (Hons).

    In 1992, after completing his one year mandatory studies at the Nigeria Law School Lagos, he was called to the Nigerian Bar.

    He was elected the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sokoto in 1997.

    Subsequently, he was to serve variously as the association’s Assistant National Financial Secretary, First National Secretary, and Secretary of the Human Rights Committee, between the 1998 and 2002.

    After working as the Personal Assistant to the then Senate Leader, Senator Abdullahi Wali, Tambuwal ran for the House of Representatives seat for Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal constituency of Sokoto State in 2003 on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and won.

    In 2004, he became the Minority Leader of the House. Tambuwal again contested the National Assembly elections in 2007 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).  He won the seat to represent his constituency from 2007-2011.

    When he left the opposition, he was promptly elected the Deputy Chief Whip of the House.  In 2011, Tambuwal again stood for and won election to the House of Representatives.

    He subsequently became the Speaker of the seventh House of Representatives against all odds in 2011.

    He was  leader of the Nigerian Delegation to African, Caribbean, Pacific and European Union Joint Parliamentary Assembly; Leader of the Federal Government team to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding the controversial denial of visas to Nigerian female pilgrims, among others.

    He was named Leadership Newspaper’s Politician of the Year 2011; Sun Newspaper’s Man of the Year 2012; and Best Performing Governor in Education in Nigeria by BusinessDAY and The Authority Newspapers (2017).

    He was given an honorary Doctorate in Law from his alumnus, Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, December 2012. He also has an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, 2013, among others. On September 27, 2014, he was turbaned the Mutawalle of Sokoto Caliphate by Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

    On October 28, 2014, after the day’s plenary in the House of Representatives, Tambuwal formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). On April 11, 2015, he was elected Governor of Sokoto State under APC platform.

     

    Abubakar

     

    Abubakar, referred to as the architect of modern Bauchi State, is the fifth democratically elected governor of Bauchi State who led the All Progressives Congress (APC) foot soldiers that ousted the once powerful Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    An accomplished legal practitioner, he rendered free legal services to the poor and needy, first in Bauchi state and later in other major Nigerian cities.

    Born on December 11, 1956 in Gombe, he started his educational career at the Jos Native Authority Primary School in Plateau State from 1963 to 1968 from where he proceeded to Tudun Wada Primary School, Kano in 1969.

    He then gained admission into the Government College Kano (now famous Rumfa College) for his Secondary School Certificate education from 1970 to 1974.

    Abubakar proceeded to the highly competed School of Basic Studies (SBS) of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for the one year pre-degree programme and thereafter proceeded to the Faculty of Law in the same premier northern University where he studied for and obtained his Bachellor of Laws  (LLB. Hons) degree in 1978.

    By 1979, he had completed his Law School training in Lagos and proceeded to Rivers State for the mandatory National Youth Service (NYSC), working as a lecturer at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

    On completion of his national youth service, Abubakar returned to Bauchi State and joined the services of the State Government as a Pupil State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice and rose through the ranks to the position of a Director. Before then, he headed the Legal Drafting department in the Bauchi State House of Assembly in 1983.

    After the military coup in 1983, Abubakar was deployed to the Ministry of Justice as Principal State Counsel and by 1984 seconded to the Yankari Games Reserve and Tourism Company Limited as its Secretary/Legal Adviser.

    Two years later, he was  redeployed to the Ministry of Justice where he acted as Director, Civil Litigations for two years before being promoted to the rank of Director, Public Prosecution (DPP).

    He was appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice between 1990 and 1991 by the then Military administration. He was re-appointed for the second time until 1993.

    When the military intervened again in 1993, he decided to disengage from Public Service and went into private legal practice as Managing Partner of Fortuna Chambers.

    He was the Chairman, NBA, Bauchi Branch, from 1996 to 1998. He was elected Deputy National Secretary of the PDP in 1997 and then appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), serving in Kogi, Delta, Plateau and Rivers States.

    In 2003, he was elevated to the position of National Electoral Commissioner in-charge of Legal Services. He supervised Borno, Yobe and Jigawa states.

    He finally retired from public service and returned to his private legal practice as the Managing Partner of M. A. Abubakar & Co (Fortuna Chambers) which has offices in Bauchi, Abuja and Port Harcourt respectively. He is also a Member of the National Judicial Council since 2013.

    In March 2016, Abubakar was elected Governing Council member of the African Bar Association (AFBA).

     

    Lalong

     

    Governor Lalong, a native of Ajikamai in Shendam Local Government Area, was born on May 5, 1963.

    He had his Primary Education at R.C.M Primary School Shendam and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1977.

    After his primary school, he gained admission into Government Secondary School Shendam where he had his O’ Level Certificate in 1982. He further went to S. P. S. Keffi, where he obtained his A’ Level in 1986.

    Lalong later gained admission to the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he studied Law and graduated with a Bachelor of Law (LLB. Hons) degree in 1990.

    He obtained his Masters Degree in Law (LLM) from the University of Jos in 1996.

    Lalong did his NYSC in the Legal Unit of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

    He started his legal practice in 1992 with the T-Obot & Co. Legal Practitioners, Jos.

    He also worked with Victor Fomwul & Co. Jos from 1997 – 1999 as a Managing Partner.

    He later established his own chambers and was the Principal Partner of Simon B. Lalong & Co. Legal Practitioners.

    When the ban on partisan politics was lifted and by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar in 1999, Lalong contested to represent the Shendam Constituency in the state House Assembly. He won and was subsequently made the Speaker of the State House of Assembly in October 2000.

    Lalong’s rare leadership qualities earned him the record of the longest serving Speaker in the history of Plateau State legislature which span across seven unbroken years between 2000 and 2006.

    He twice elected as chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers, a forum of all the 36 Speakers.

    He was the National Chairman, forum of All former Speakers of Nigeria and also Chairman of former State Legislators, Plateau State Chapter.

    He contested for the Governorship of Plateau State on April 11, 2015 elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and emerged victorious.

     

  • Pensioners endorse Tambuwal

    Pensioners endorse Tambuwal

    PEnsioners in Sokoto State have urged Governor Aminu Tambuwal to seek re-election in 2019, promising to support him.

    They are appreciating the governor for paying their about N4 billion arrears.

    Chairman, Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Umaru Abubakar, who addressed reporters at the 2017 Pensioners’ Day, said despite the financial crisis, the government paid the accumulated and inherited gratuities and pension to state and council retirees.

    According to him, the union will buy the nomination form for Tambuwal.

    He said: “The regular payment of our entitlement and arrears has made Sokoto one of the states, which prioritise the welfare of pensioners.

    “Members of the union have resolved to ask Tambuwal to seek a second term in view of his commitment to our welfare. These were achieved following the governor’s faith and belief in the Hadith of the Holy Prophet that admonishes Muslims to pay workers before their sweat dried up.”

  • Maulud: Imbibe tenets of peace, Tambuwal urges Nigerians

    Maulud: Imbibe tenets of peace, Tambuwal urges Nigerians

    Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has urged all Nigerians to uphold the tenets of peaceful coexistence and respect for all faith so as to build a united and peaceful nation where everybody would feel free and safe.

    In a message to commemorate this year’s Maulud celebration issued in Sokoto Friday by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) should renew “our faith and bond of unity as one people, one nation, our diversities notwithstanding.”

    He said same way that the birth of the Prophet in Mecca ushered in a new dawn for humanity, Nigerians should view the occasion of this year’s Maulud Nabiyyi as an opportunity for a new beginning for the country.

    “I believe that we will make progress towards the realisation of our shared vision of a strong, united and prosperous nation if our people imbibe the Prophet’s lessons of peace, tolerance, honesty, selflessness, sincerity, justice, equity and peaceful co-existence with others, including fairness to all,” the Governor said.

    He equally urged Muslims across the country to imbibe the virtues of forgiveness, love, piety, humility, transparency, tolerance and perseverance. While reiterating the determination of his administration to create an enabling environment for peace to reign, Tambuwal specifically congratulated Sokoto citizens for witnessing this day.

    He appealed to them not to relent in their prayers for the nation and its leaders.

  • 2019: It’s too early to declare my ambition- Tambuwal

    2019: It’s too early to declare my ambition- Tambuwal

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has  said that those clamouring for political activities and seeking re-election  ‎are elements of distraction.
    According him” Its too premature to begin to declare my ambition.”
    He stated that between now and 2019 is a long journey , insisting that it was premature for him to start talking of his 2019 ambition.
    Tambuwal who made the remark in Sokoto  while interacting with reporters maintained that he was not encouraging that.
    ” I don’t encourage anyone distracting us from governance mode to politics,” he stated.
    He said such activities were only distracting mandate holders from discharging their responsibilities.
    According to him” there is no reason why people should begin to jump start.”
    ” Is not healthy for our democracy for people to change the mode of governance to politics. It is wrong,” he said.
    The former House of Representatives Speaker further said ” for me, I am not in support of that.”
    The governor who also spoke on the benefit of the President Muhammadu Buhari adminstration  to Sokoto state and Nigeria, said ‎the APC led government has successfully reversed a lot of negative activities threatening the security, economy and financial state of the country.
    ” Boko Haram and their activities have been subdued. What we are experiencing now is sporadic attacks confined to few places within Borno and Adamawa states.
    ” The fight against corruption has been fully domesticated with impact nationwide.
    ” Our economy is fast improving with positive outcomes against recession. A lot has been achieved in the area of infrastructure especially roads.
    ” Sokoto -Illela, Sokoto-Gusau, Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega roads among others are fast in good conditions”, he pointed out.
    Commenting on Paris club funds that accrued to the state, Tambuwal said his government strictly applied the funds to what is was meant to achieve, adding” we channelled the funds into payment of salaries, pension and gratuity arears of workers.”
    ‎On his relationship with the APC chapter, the governor said it has been smooth and cordial.
    ” The party in the state is united and focused as a driving force for its existing respect for internal democracy and the principle of participatory agenda. “
  • Tambuwal to NNN staff: exercise little patient, your entitlements will soon be paid

    Tambuwal to NNN staff: exercise little patient, your entitlements will soon be paid

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has urged workers of the New Nigerian Newspapers ?to exercise little patience as their entitlements would be paid soon.

    He said northern  governors? have been efforts and following the issue of staff pension and entitlements since the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Tambuwal spoke yesterday in Sokoto during ?an interactive session with journalists.

    He said President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged and shown commitment to address the issue of  staff of the media house.

    “ I am optimistic that the workers and all those with their entitlements ?in the company will be paid their monies very soon.”

    On the handing over of federal roads to state government, Tambuwal said doing so would ensure proper and effective monitoring as well maintenance while pointing out that” this will be achieved federal government’s support through increased funding ?for states.”

    On what his administration was doing to revive sports in the state, the governor said plans are on to relocate and modernise the existing Giginya township stadium.

    According to him” the architectural design is old fashioned. We will relocated and build a modern stadium. This current location is not conducive. “

    He said the government will also employ new coaches and technical team that would ginger up the state owned Sokoto United FC to the premier level.

  • Tambuwal commends FG on economic diversification

    Tambuwal commends FG on economic diversification

    Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has commended the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the country’s economy, saying the move will have long term positive effect on the lives of the people.

    Speaking in Sokoto when declared open the 9th meeting of the National Council on Industries, Trade and Investment, Tambuwal said Sokoto has already taken a cue from FG and has doubled its efforts to create sustainable industries in all parts of the country.

    He said as a state rich in solid minerals, his administration has made it a top priority to explore the deposits.

    “We are making huge progress in harnessing those resources for the benefit of our people. We believe this will go a long way in complimenting paradigm shift agenda of Federal Government from oil to non oil sectors,” he added.

    Tambuwal noted that in its effort to create enabling environment for investments, the state government has worked out strategic plan which has so far yielded positive result.

  • Tambuwal and free mosquito nets

    SIR: I saw on Nigeria Television Authority network news, efforts exerted by the Sokoto State government in the fight against the scourge of malaria. I was impressed by the number of mosquito nets procured to be distributed for free in the state by the state government.

    The governor needs to be commended for he also intends to carry out fumigation of open drains and gutters to free such places from mosquitoes. Deaths arising from mosquito bites in Nigeria are alarming. As novel as these strides (nets and fumigation) are in Sokoto, one point this country misses to address in the fight against malaria is the high cost of insecticides. Does Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, all other governors in Nigeria, political persons, and president know how much it cost to buy a can of insecticide in Nigeria? No disrespect but I doubt.

    Do they know that increase in the price of onions in India is always not tolerated by the people there and can force political persons out of office? Onions is a staple food in India, valued by the gentry and peasantry.

    A can of insecticide sells for close to N1000 which can be judiciously put to use for only three or four days. How many people can afford that in Nigeria where to feed is a problem for many families? Why shouldn’t a can of insecticide be sold for NGN100 if we truly want to fight malaria in Nigeria?

    Government with developmental partners can subsidize the cost of production in-country or can subsidize the importation of same. Why not? What is it we enjoy in this country? We don’t have welfarist policies here? The ones in place are misplaced priorities: junketing on government account for religious pilgrimages. I voted for this president to stop it but he couldn’t. A country desirous to fight malaria yet allows merchants the chance to set prices of an important antidote as they deem fit.

    Politicians in Nigeria do not touch base with the people. That’s why they don’t know what truly bother Nigerians the most. Majority of Nigerians are law abiding and don’t care who leads them so long as that person knows the prices of kerosene plus fights against the adulteration of same that has led to the deaths of many when it exploded setting them ablaze, of bread and inspection of same in unhealthy places where they are produced, left for many hours with flies perching on them before they are bagged.

    These politicians don’t know the prices of insecticide, kerosene, bread in Nigeria. They don’t know the cost of a plate of food in a vendor stand. Putting them in the spot by asking if they know how much it cost to rent a house to live in (all shades, from one room apartment etc.) might be a hard job as asking my eight years old son in primary school to write a secondary school examination.

    Why should Nigerians vote these people into offices?

     

    • Simon Abah,

    Port Harcourt.

  • Buhari meets three Northern governors in Aso Rock

    Buhari meets three Northern governors in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met separately with three Northern governors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The governors are – Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe),  Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa).

    The last meeting was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

  • Invest more in education, Tambuwal urges

    Invest more in education, Tambuwal urges

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has called for more investment in education to secure the nation’s future.

    In an Independence message by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal explained investment in education and technology will be worthy legacy to be bequeathed to the children of Nigeria.

    “They are investments that will bring the best out of the next generation of Nigerians and enable us to reach our potential as individuals, as communities, as a nation.

    “We must continue to put the right policies in place and ensure diligent implementation of such policies.

    “This is important because our children hold so much hope for our future and no investment can be said to be too much for them,” he stated.